Monthly Archives: September 2016

For some time I’ve had it on my heart to encourage families who have the desire to raise children to live debt-free lives. From my discussions with people, I believe the vast majority of Christians today are burdened down with debt. They believe it is just a fact of life – unavoidable.They have labored for years under the weight of it, not thinking it is possible to live without it. Praise God there are some who desire and are committed to something better for their children. If that is your desire, this series is for you.

I recently asked those who receive the Seriously Dads’ email if they were committed to raising their children to be debt-free. My purpose was to reply to them directly and encourage them. However, too many responded for me to dialog with each individually. To give you an idea, however, of the mindset of today’s conservative Christians, ONLY 2% replied that they are committed to this endeavor for their children. That grieves my heart not in any sort of condemnation, but because of the bondage they are experiencing and the freedom in life they are missing.

Still, I was encouraged that many responded that they are committed to raising their children to be debt-free. That also meant I needed to find another way of corresponding with you. I realized we could do it via the blog and for those who wished could sign up to receive the blog via email (see the right side bar). That is why the addition of a new topic thread to the titus2.com blog.

What to expect, (Lord willing):

Hope! Hope is the essential, beginning point for commitment and achievement.

Practical ideas and resources that build upon that hope.

Encouragement. One brother shared how all his friends were suggesting that he get a mortgage and that it was a ridiculous idea to try to save for a house. This will be a “place” of encouragement.

A place for you to be involved. You can respond via e-mail (not by comments), give me your thoughts on questions, share your heart, and ask questions. (If you wish to respond, you can do so via our Contact Form or replying to a Seriously email.)

God’s grace. He gives it bountifully when we seek to follow Him.

Life in Christ, Who is the Hope of the world, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Share these posts with others who you believe are open to living debt-free and/or raising their children that way. Even though you may be surrounded by those thinking it isn’t possible, why not help them escape “Egypt” with you? Create your own encouragement community around you.

Question: What do you think are foundational aspects for someone to be debt-free?

We are excited to announce that we are expecting again. The due date is March 6th. We are all happy and working to wait patiently.

There’s an element of realism with every new baby. We don’t have life figured out now, adding another one to the mix will further confirm that. Things that always work for others don’t for us. For example, the fancy “help-your-child-quit-thumb-sucking-leather-glove” that is virtually guaranteed to work – didn’t for Andrew. The “Earn a Build-A-Bear Trip” reward for the certain child that went consecutively 14 days without wetting his/her bed overnight – once earned, proved that we were not past the challenge (but they did enjoy the BaB trip and 5 Guys afterwards). Silly examples of how “real” raising four kids is. And yet, no matter how challenging, it’s a privilege.

There are many encouragements. One of our kids that did everything possible last year to delay completing a workbook page, this school year she jumped right in and is diligent and focused. She did some school in my office this morning and some how left her school pages down here (along with her pencil box and all its contents spread out). She had worked on them without my assistance and completed four pages perfectly. She was watching the clock the entire time so she didn’t miss the start of the next subject. Quality work, time awareness, excitement for school = pretty great.

Abby is highly capable; she loves structure and serving. She decided we needed something fun to go with dinner last night and pulled out her kids’ Nourishing Traditions cookbook and made parfaits, complete with home-made whipped cream–“Sweetened with maple syrup”, she said, “better for us than sugar.” (The link is a Titus2 Amazon affiliate link; you can read Titus2’s Privacy Policy here.)

Bethany has a quick smile and can cram a 10-minute dish drying project into 45. But, she’s happy the entire time and does a super job. She recently decided she was lead on apple washing for our first round of apple-sauce making. She washed the vast majority of 3 bushels of apples and still wanted to help in other areas. She is the exact opposite of Abby when it comes to structure – she likes freedom and flexibility.

Christina has a vocabulary that, at times, I think is more extensive than mine. She and I are heart buddies. There’s times she and I can connect when no one else can with her. Melanie thinks it’s because of the special time she and I had right after her birth while Melanie was waking up from anesthesia. I think it’s because she’s a carbon copy of Melanie. Since I happen to like the Melanie personality pretty well (enough to marry it!), Christina and I getting along well is a natural. Maybe we’re both right.

Andrew is a little boy. He is pretty much always a bit sweaty, and if outside – a bit wet (he finds water to play in everywhere, or is having a diaper issue – or both). He loves putting rocks in the outside air-conditioner (and is currently grounded to the deck), is a mosquito magnet, never stands still, and is thrilled to now know what a penguin says. He picked this up after our recent trip to the St. Louis zoo. In case you are wondering, it’s Meee-au, emphasis on the first syllable. Some of his extended family have mistakenly thought it was a cat sound, but he’s assured them it’s quite different.

Melanie is pretty tired this pregnancy. Being a homeschool mom is not a cake-walk (as so many of you know). She’s a trooper and thrilled to be carrying this little one.

Life is challenging, but we are grateful for it. As a couple that didn’t know whether we could have children – raising four and expecting a fifth is a tremendous blessing. We are exceedingly blessed by our kiddos and love our life with them – pouring ours into theirs.

A happy dad,
Nathan

“Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vineby the sides of thine house:thy children like olive plantsround about thy table.”Psalm 128:3

Nathan and Melanie hosted an amazing campfire-hot dog roast-s’mores-fellowship in the country recently. They invited friends and family and so there was quite a group of us.

Nathan had a special activity for the children. He had a list of trivia questions relating to the adults in the group, so the kids went around, asking the different people if they were the person in the question (ie: who grew up in Indonesia as a missionary’s kid or who was friends with the soldiers at the end of World War II?). It was an awesome way for the kids to learn to interact with the adults.

The fellowship was great, the food delicious, and the temperatures warm until the sun set. 🙂

Love,
Sarah

GiGi, Tina, and MomDrew is such a handsome little guy.Holding DanielWhat a lineup!Tina wanted to roast her own hotdog.

John, Drew, Anna, Mary, and Liddy

JesseTinaAbbySunset

“… Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts:the whole earth is full of his glory.”Isaiah 6:3